First Night Headache

Hello,

I am a new CPAP user as of lastnight. I had a sleep study a month ago (VA Hospital). Friday I was issued a Respironics REMstar Pro M series with C/Flex and a Profile Lite Nasal gel mask.

The machine settings are: Ramp 5-14 in 20 minutes, humidifier was on 1 at start.

Now to problem; other than feeling claustrophobic, I developed a headache at the top of my nose/forehead area that hurt so bad I could not stand it longer than two hours. I tried to turn up the temp of the humidifier a notch (to 2) and it didn't help. I have had a headache all day and dread trying to use the machine tonight.

Can anybody offer a suggestion or direction? I know I need this treatment and have to make it succeed.
I will try to get in to see my VA doc as soon as possible, but any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rick

Usually Nasal Mask + mouthbreathing = headache! Are you taking steps to insure you don't have your treatment leaking out of your mouth? Dry Mouth! ect. Low O2 in the night can cause headaches. It's important to have the software and reader so you can see what happened and when.

Also if you will go to your profile and fill in you equiptment you use and other info, it will stay on each post for all to see. In text form, not iconny. Jim

Welcome to the group!

Hello & Welcome, Ironhead! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!

Yep, mouthbreathing might be the issue. And, for me, if I use any heat at all with my humidifier, it causes congestion, and congestion sometimes causes a sinus headache. I use a full face mask and passive (heat setting all the way OFF) humidifier.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

The headache could be a result of strapping the mask too tightly - nasal masks do not have to be strapped on tightly.

The headache could be a result of the the pessurized air irritating your nasal membranes - more heated humidity often helps that; although for some people, it causes congestion.

What is you prescribed pressure?

O.